Air India opens Maharaja Lounge San Francisco

Air India opened the Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport on May 23, adding what the carrier called its first signature lounge outside India as it upgrades premium service on international routes. The lounge is in International Terminal A near Gate A1, according to SFO’s airline and lounge listings. (airindia.com) Air India said the facility is part of a broader push to extend the design language and service model of its new flagship lounge in New Delhi to overseas stations. (airindia.com) The San Francisco opening gives Air India a branded ground product at one of its key U.S. gateways. SFO’s website shows the lounge is post-security on Level 4 and available to qualifying passengers, with LOT Polish Airlines also listed alongside Air India under the Star Alliance grouping. (flysfo.com) SFO lists daily operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. ### What exactly opened at SFO on May 23? Air India said on May 23 that the new facility is called “The Maharaja Lounge” and described it as a signature lounge at San Francisco International Airport. The carrier said the opening represents a “gateway to India even before you board your flight,” tying the space to its broader premium branding. (airindia.com) SFO’s passenger information pages already list the Air India Maharaja Lounge under the airport’s lounge directory and under Air India’s airline page. The airport places it near Gate A1 in International Terminal A, Level 4, after security. (flysfo.com) ### How large is the lounge and what is inside it? The lounge spans 3,300 square feet and seats nearly 80 guests, according to Air India’s customer-experience page. The airline said the space includes premium seating, curated menus and modern amenities. Air India said the design was developed by hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, or HBA. (airindia.com) The airline said the lounge includes a “nostalgic Aviator’s Bar” and a dedicated private zone with a tarmac view. ### How is Air India describing the design? Air India said the lounge blends “heritage and modern luxury” and links its look and feel to the recently launched flagship Maharaja Lounge in Delhi. (flysfo.com) The airline said the San Francisco site is the second in a planned series of global signature lounges. (airindia.com) The Delhi flagship, which Air India unveiled earlier this year at Indira Gandhi International Airport, is larger and includes separate business and first-class sections, an Aviator’s Bar and other themed areas. Air India’s San Francisco announcement explicitly said the overseas lounge reflects that same design philosophy. (airindia.com) ### Who can use the lounge? SFO’s airline pages list the Air India Maharaja Lounge as the qualifying lounge for both Air India and LOT Polish Airlines passengers. The airport identifies both carriers under Star Alliance on those listings. (airindia.com) Air India’s broader lounge information pages say passengers can access Air India and Star Alliance lounges subject to eligibility, though the SFO-specific pages do not spell out every fare-class or status rule in the listing excerpts available. ### What comes next at the San Francisco lounge? SFO’s lounge directory shows the Air India Maharaja Lounge is now operating daily in International Terminal A near Gate A1. (airindia.com) Air India said the San Francisco site is the first signature lounge outside India and the second in its global lounge series, indicating additional branded lounge openings are planned, though the airline did not name the next airport in the materials reviewed. (flysfo.com 1) (flysfo.com 2) (airindia.com)